Strengthening the Nonprofit Sector

Jessie Ball duPont Fund President Sherry Magill and David Odahowski of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation were honored for their roles in founding FPN at the annual conference in January 2013.

During the 1990s, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund became increasingly aware of the need for nonprofit organizations and philanthropic funders to organize themselves to better meet the challenges of a changing landscape. In Florida, Virginia and Delaware, the Fund has worked carefully to build the nonprofit and philanthropic infrastructure best suited to each locale.

Florida Philanthropic Network

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund was instrumental in the formation of this organization of Florida funders in 2003, and continues to participate as a founding member. From its original membership of seven foundations, FPN has grown to more than 90 members, including all community foundations in the state. LEARN MORE »

Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund provided the leadership that launched this organization in 2004 and headed its initial fundraising campaign. The Fund continues to participate as a founding member. Today the Nonprofit Center has 200 members and is widely respected as the leading nonprofit support organization in the state. LEARN MORE »

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has a long association with Delaware’s Longwood Foundation and, in 2008, encouraged Longwood to support a study of the state nonprofits and funding organizations. As a result of that study, Delaware funders have organized themselves into the Delaware Grantmakers Association. And DANA has restructured its board and leadership to increase its capacity for supporting the sector. The Jessie Ball duPont Fund today participates in both organizations.

Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence

In Richmond, Virginia, the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence is a collaboration of multiple programs and resources, orchestrated by staff that is housed at The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia. The roots of PNE go to a Jessie Ball duPont Fund-supported initiative – Connect Richmond – that was an web-based, interactive portal for nonprofits, funders and community stakeholder. As Connect Richmond evolved, the Fund facilitated its location at The Community Foundation and supported the collaboration of organizations that became the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence (PNE).